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Aussies unsure about Gabba 1st Test attack

Jim Morton

An aggressive Australia will look to the skies on Friday morning before finalising the bowling attack they aim to unleash on South Africa at their Gabba fortress.

Skipper Michael Clarke admits Brisbane's overcast conditions have forced selectors into a surprise rethink which has put a four-pronged pace battery back on the table for the first Test.

They had backed under-pressure offspinner Nathan Lyon to be an important member of the attack, from the start of preparations but he looms as a fall guy with the greenish Gabba pitch retaining more moisture than expected.

Clarke is talking like a man who wants to throw the kitchen sink at the Proteas' high-quality batting line-up.

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He likes the fact youngsters James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc have the ability to rough up South Africa's top-order - especially on a Gabba track which will have pace, bounce and sideways movement.

Combined with stalwarts Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, they can remain more serious threats in the game longer than Lyon if the cloud cover and high humidity persists in Brisbane.

"I was expecting to have a decision (on 12th man) today but the wicket's changed a little bit since yesterday and I need to see if it changes any more come tomorrow," he said.

"I guess weather upstairs plays a big part as well if it's overcast compared to the sun shining."

While Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers are all ranked among the top seven batsmen in Test cricket, the Australians well remember India's batsmen were even more acclaimed last summer before a series drubbing.

After Ricky Ponting had earlier promised fireworks, Clarke followed up with his own tough talk by tipping "plenty of short stuff".

"The young quicks know what they have to do," he said.

"I've made it clear they have to keep the same aggression they had last summer against India.

"We understand there is a line they can't cross but they'll be pushing that line."

If Lyon carries the drinks, then Clarke - who has underbowled his left-armers - will have to shoulder the load as the team's spinner.

It creates another issue as the captain's back problems have been stirred up by bowling in the past and Australia have opted against naming a vice-captain following Shane Watson's withdrawal with injury.

Clarke nominated Mike Hussey, Ponting and even young wicketkeeper Matthew Wade as options if he was injured, before Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland said Ponting was the "obvious back-up".

Australia haven't been beaten at the Gabba in 24 years but long-time curator Kevin Mitchell jnr believes the Proteas are the best equipped touring side to handle the conditions in many seasons.

Their pace trio of top-ranked Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel routed Australia for 47 just 364 days ago and are eying the home side's greenhorn top-order of Ed Cowan, David Warner and debutant Rob Quiney - who didn't play in the Newlands nightmare.

"That inexperience is hopefully something we can exploit because then we could have Australia under pressure," captain Smith said.